At Aging Well ElderCare Specialists LLC, we understand the pressures you are under as a family caregiver. This blog is designed to support you in the incredibly important work that you do.
As the the Buffalo-Niagara region experts in family caregiving, we have resources, tips and information that can make your life much easier.
If you would like help, give us a call at: (716) 204-1063.
Pain is no fun, whether in a knee, a neck, or elsewhere in the body. There are drugs that dull pain. But they don’t cure the problem. Plus, prescription drugs usually have side effects or are addictive. Physical therapy (PT) is a proven treatment that can relieve pain and in some instances, cure the problem.
Perhaps you wonder if your family member is a “hoarder.” (You may even harbor secret fears about yourself!) We all have cherished possessions. From trophies to teacups. Spare buttons to cans of half-used paint. But hoarding is different.
Does your loved one need to downsize? Move? Does the prospect seem overwhelming? Perhaps not just physically, but emotionally too? Enter the senior move manager: Part mover, part interior decorator, part compassionate friend. These professionals take a holistic approach. They handle the physical logistics. They are also skilled at assisting older adults with the emotional side of a move.
This is World FTD Awareness Week. People with FTD often exhibit sudden changes in behavior or personality. FTD is frequently misdiagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease, depression, or some psychiatric disorder. It is the most common form of dementia for people under 65 (early-onset dementia).
National Stepfamily Day falls in September. To honor these special families, we are featuring an article about working with stepsiblings. It could be that you have hardly met your “brothers and sisters,” yet you may be called upon to work together in an eldercare crisis.
September is Pain Awareness Month. Consider addressing your loved one’s pain with tips from music therapy. No drugs. No side effects. Simply drawing on the mind-body connection to lift mood, enhance relaxation, and distract from pain.
A difficult or abusive childhood makes for a very uncomfortable caregiving situation when your parent begins to need help in their later years. You don’t have to do it all. Consider these strategies for doing what feels right while also taking care of yourself.
Support your loved one’s independence with simple but important low-vision adaptations in the bathroom: Color contrasts, a magnifying mirror, a shower caddy, etc.
The U.S. Surgeon General reports we have a loneliness epidemic. Like smoking and obesity, social isolation creates a greater risk for poor health. It’s been associated with a 48 percent increase in “premature death” (a death where a change in lifestyle could have resulted in a longer life). Our social health affects our physical health.
It will likely take one to three months for you and your loved one to get used to the new living situation at memory care. Strong emotions are to be expected. But there are strategies to ease the transition and promote a resilient recovery for both of you.
I can't thank Michelle enough for her hard work and dedication in helping my mom and I during this Medicaid process. She was very professional and always available to answer any questions regardless of the day or time.
Michelle has provided my family with a wealth of needed information and services since 2016. In a professional but very caring manner, Aging Well Care Management has provided help with referrals, paperwork, moving and a deep knowledge of her craft. I, too, live far from New York and appreciate the work she has done with my cousin and aunt. I have great confidence in her abilities.
Michelle Spencer’s assessment of my sister’s needs and knowledge of aging well options were instrumental in helping us find a safe, supportive and caring assisted living location.She helped us navigate the placement process quickly and has been there for follow-up actions. This is especially reassuring to us because we do not live nearby.
I have been very happy working with Michelle from Aging Well Care Management and feel fortunate to have found someone who is kind, trustworthy, caring, and accommodating. This is important because I live 500 miles from my 90 year old mother, who also appreciates her weekly visits. I certainly recommend Michelle and Aging Well Care Management.
I have recently signed on as an Aging Well Care Management client. I am working with Michelle on my mother's behalf on the first task and thus far I am satisfied. I will be able to provide updated feedback after this task is complete.Thank you Michelle.
Great experience with Michelle. She was very informative and shared lots of good information. It take a load off my mind to know that I have Aging Well Care to turn to when I need assistance with the care of my sister in law who has Alzheimer’s. I would recommend them highly.
Michelle has been wonderful as a long-distance liaison for me as I have helped my parents transition in/out of rehab and assisted living facilities over the past year. Knowing I can count on her from afar to help when needed with scheduling appointments, following up with facilities, and transportation has been a relief and much weight off my shoulders. She is experienced and can help you navigate/advocate. Even if you live locally she can provide welcome relief and support when caring for others. I highly recommend Aging Well Care Management.
Michelle is wonderful. She is very knowledgeable and helpful. Told us everything we needed to know and help us get my grandmother a place to stay quickly.
I have known Michelle Spencer for two years she has been a well liked and available social worker to many people in Village Park residential apartments I employed Michelle last year and this year to assist me with editing our handbook also minutes of our residential Council Michelle has also also given me advice on medical billing I have found Michelle to be professional very knowledge flexible as she can be in her busy schedule she answers my text quickly and projects her schedule so that I can easily arrange my date I enjoy working with Michelle because she is professional easy in her conversations and willing to teach I would certainly recommend Michelle to any person or organization that needs casework or professional guidance
Working for Aging Well Care Management, LLC has been an absolute pleasure. Michelle goes above and beyond for her client’s & their families. She expects nothing less than the best from her staff. I look forward to watching this company grow & being a part of it all.
Michelle has been fantastic. Offering words of encouragement and giving useful suggestions. Our family member can be more than challenging and she has been very good at helping us through difficult times.
Thank you for your care, concern and assistance with my disabled relative. Your experience and support were much appreciated as we navigated through the variety of challenges that came up. He enjoyed your visits.
Recently our family went through a life changing event with my aging father. After unexpected time in the hospital, it was clear that dad needed full time care outside of his home. Faced with the daunting task of finding the right place for dad we retained Michelle Spencer to help us through the process. She was a huge help navigating medicaid, facility selection and all the issues we were facing for the first time. I would highly recommend Michelle to anyone that is dealing with similar decisions.